The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which manages Avsec, said the explosives included imitation explosives such as novelty key chains or grenade-shaped mugs.
“Bulletin weapons” were most often tools or recreational items such as cricket bats, or souvenirs such as the traditional Maori common weapon – a one-handed, teardrop-shaped weapon usually made of greenstone.
Two trade unions representing aviation security officers are opposing the Minister of Transport’s interest in outsourcing aviation security at New Zealand airports. Photo / CAA
Between December and January each month, an average of 897 items were taken from passengers boarding New Zealand airlines.
In December, Avsec officers took away 75 firearms. Forty-seven were toy guns, 23 were gun parts such as rifle bolts, as well as four functional rifles and one pistol.
Separately, thousands of batteries, flammable items, gas cylinders or chemicals classified as dangerous goods are confiscated every month.
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A CAA spokesman said there was no evidence that any of the prohibited items were taken on board planes for malicious purposes.
“Every day, passengers try to travel with prohibited items, often unintentionally, and most of them are carrying lower-risk materials. However, our frontline officers routinely encounter higher risk items, highlighting the critical work we do to keep air travel safe.”
Decision to privatize aviation security ‘deeply disturbing’
On Tuesday, Herald revealed that Transport Minister Simeon Brown is exploring the possibility of airports, airlines or private security serving as Avsec, a move that the E tū union called “deeply disturbing”.
Brown sought input from airports and airlines in hopes of cutting costs and shortening long lines.
E tū is represented by as many as 300 aviation security officers, and its negotiation specialist Michael Wood said the idea of privatization was dangerous.
“Avsec’s work is too important to be delegated to commercial operators. “Aviation safety is one of the most critical safety elements across our entire transportation system, and privatization could weaken it,” he said.
Etū negotiation specialist Michael Wood says the Minister for Transport’s interest in privatizing aviation security in New Zealand is “deeply concerning”. Photo / Alyse Wright
He believed that asking airlines to ensure security could undermine the accuracy of the passenger screening process.
“While our airlines are committed to safety, the thoroughness of their screening processes would be in direct conflict with their goal of getting people on planes as quickly as possible.”
His comments were supported by a proposal on the privatization plan submitted by another union representing Avsec workers, the National Union of Public Employees (Nupe).
In a statement, Nupe organizer Quentin Findlay said outsourcing Avsec’s work would “lower safety standards” and impact New Zealand’s reputation.
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Unions say baggage scanning can be difficult and time-consuming for AVSEC staff, especially when dealing with uncooperative or difficult-to-cooperate passengers, airport staff or airline crew. Source: CAA FREE FOR EDITORIAL USE
A current Avsec employee quoted in the application also believed the idea was high risk.
“Airlines want to fly out on time and not pay more to be stuck at airports due to delays. Imagine them checking bags and securing them when a plane needs to depart or when passengers are late. Do they speed up the process by shortening the journey? To me that’s asking for trouble.
Mr Findlay said airlines were often responsible for queues because they did not ensure passengers were respecting the 7kg hand luggage limit and it took longer to scan and assess large bags.
“Air New Zealand often commits offenses in this area, while Jetstar consistently checks bag weight,” he said.
Captain David Morgan, Air New Zealand’s director of operational integrity and safety, agreed that some customers were “exceeding the ceiling” when it came to carry-on luggage.
Morgan, who supports the idea of creating a controversial aviation security model, said excess weight and bulky bags delay boarding and disembarking from ships because of limited overhead bin space.
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“Our airport teams are monitoring this situation and, if necessary, will ask customers whose baggage exceeds the allowance to check in their baggage.”
In Australia, security is handled by airports and private security service providers.
However, Finlay pointed out that there had been inconsistencies in safety enforcement and performance in Australia, as well as numerous controversies, including claims of corruption.
“One of the main problems with the Australian system is the lack of a centralized approach, particularly in relation to service costs per passenger. Airports charge different fees, which leads to accusations of monopolization and overpricing,” he said.
Michael Morrah is a senior investigative reporter/team leader at the company Herald. He won the award for best coverage of a major news event at the Voyager NZ Media Awards 2024 and has been named Reporter of the Year twice. He has been a television journalist for 20 years and joined Herald video team in July 2024
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